There is fresh snow on the high ridge, a bone-chilling wind from the west sound of larch, scattering golden needles on the forest floor. Tendrils of silver accent fog of silence that lies above the valley floor and the winter is coming closer and prepares all of nature.
The majority of the animals that inhabited these forests north is getting ready for hibernation. Many mammals have the ability, through the cold, gray day bed in advance. Chipmunks, skunks and squirrels thanand raccoons, rodents and bats, simply put bed and hardly move until they occur in the spring. As a true hibernators, slowing their body temperatures drop to near ambient and heart rate dramatically, as it provides a deep comatose state of sleep paralysis experience. However, these animals will wake up to eat at regular intervals from the deep sleep delete stored food, their thirst and urination or defecation. Rodents sleep very deeply, while others are easier to sleep.
Bears are a bitdifferent. Both black bears and grizzly bears go into a physiological state often referred to as sleep or hibernation, but it is not true hibernation, but a winter rest. During a bear in winter their heart rate decreases very little sleep and body temperature drops only a few degrees from the norm . The rule will not take during this extended deep sleep, awakening and therefore do not eat, drink, exercise or perform, and will remain in their cave for the wholeWinter. Hibernating bears are biological rather astonishing miracles. Although they are completely inactive throughout the winter, they do not suffer from muscle atrophy and bone loss as a human would. Bone Bears during their winter sleep and met their reserve of fat to grow all their nutritional needs.
Left undisturbed bears will sleep all winter long, sometimes even without changing position once they have settled comfortably sleep in. Although low, bears areeasily excitable and can, if necessary, respond to and be active very quickly. How can human beings, a disturbed bear to wear a very surly.
Women give birth to their cubs in their winter sleep and cuddle together until the spring. Scientists tell us that the bears do not enter into a deep winter sleep, because they have a higher body temperature need to meet the demands of pregnancy, birth and nursing their young. The actual births are rarely observed in the wild, but it is believed thatBear cubs are born between early December and late January or early February. Pregnant females are the first to withdraw into their caves, followed by mothers and their cubs. Reassure burden are the big men. Female bears are known to hibernate from late September to May or even early June.
In Montana, enjoying their most bears hibernate for as many as five to six months or longer, usually in the second half of November and not waking up the middleApril. The length of hibernation depends on wear of location, climate and gender, age and reproductive status of the individual. While the temperature was and the amount of daylight hours key motivators to dictate when bears hibernate, the most important factor is whether bears have eaten sufficient amounts, they hold over their long rest, a malnourished bear with an inadequate reserve of fat can not sleep or is this only for a short time.
The main reason hasHibernation is on the basis of their diet. Fish, berries, insects and plants are not in the deep winter snows available. Nature provides the bear with an insatiable appetite in times of plenty so that the bear to consume large amounts of food to store as fat for the winter sleep. Scientific research shows that the main purpose of the bears in hibernation, is the number of calories consumed when food is scarce and not lower in response to the cold temperature. Despite the intense cold that surrounds them, helps burn less than half as many calories into hibernation as they do when active during the summer months and not only live well by their fat reserves.
Soon snow will blanket the high country and sleeping bears, waiting for spring. Native American tribal legends tell of bears suck their paws into the cave in order to maintain in winter. William Wood (New England's Prospect, 1634) reports: "In the> Winter bear [] take themselves to the crevices of rocks ... to protect them from the cold and the food is hardly in those cold, hard times, they live only by sleeping and sucking their paws, which she as fat as they are always in the summer. "
Bears in the northern latitudes throw their balls in the late winter and sometimes licking her feet and eat parts of the shed pads. The re-grown pads are very sensitive and a bear's feet can jump up and bleed, if the animal for the first timeLeaves the cave.
Bears are not picky and use many materials or websites, to create a the winter. They will often choose, caves, brush piles, or hollow trees, and heaps of stones, and occasionally human structures. Some bears are looking to adapt a little bit more comfort and is often the line with the twigs, grasses, moss, or other available vegetation.
In NW Montana, Ursus americanus Ursus arctos and black bear and the grizzly bear, as sympatric species in which they are to somethe same area, but do not mix. In a comprehensive study conducted of grizzlies from the U.S. Geological Survey, it was found that about 765 grizzly bears live in Montana, nearly two-and-a-half times more pay than previously thought. It is also assumed that number in the tens of thousands of black bears in this neck of the woods. Hunters harvest an average of 1,200 black bears nationwide each year, and more than half of them come from North WestMontana.
Every encounter with a bear is a potential danger, but are particularly aggressive bears before hibernation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in its publication "Close Encounters with grizzlies," recommends the following when encountering bears in the wild:
"Bears are naturally shy and usually avoid humans. Encounters usually occur because the bear is from the food, garbage or other odors were dressed, or was surprised by a hiker. The most common causes ofAttack a person is surprised to see a bear up close, approaching a female with cubs, or in the vicinity of a carcass or other food source. It is best to educate themselves about bears and learn how to avoid encounters: Do not take the measures that the bears are winning know, to avoid signs of bear and her, and know how to properly alert bears to your presence . But if you can accidentally encounter a bear, here are some tips for ensuring the safety of himself and the bear.
If you have aBear
You should always have a safe distance and behave in a non-threatening manner. Most human encounters with bears not lead to physical attacks. In fact, are rare injuries caused by bears, it is usual that a bear is unnecessarily hurt by a terrible man. Most bears are trying to avoid difficult people.
If you surprise a bear at close range
Take a non-food items (such as a hat or scarf) on the ground in front of you and slowly back away, talking in a soft monotone,and avoid eye contact. The bear has put up a fight to get a better view, or insulted and growl as a threat display. In most cases, the bear is then to leave.
If you sow an encounter with boys
A female protecting her cubs is the most dangerous of all bears. Try to create as much distance between you and the bears. Do not turn your back, but slowly leave the area immediately if you can.
Never run from a bear
A bear can be up to 50 meters in 3 seconds, run or up to 40 km / h, fasteras a race horse for short distances, and faster than any man, uphill or downhill. The flight will only encourage the bear to chase you.
If the bear charges
Is your first opportunity to stand still. Shop often takes veer away, I'm passing you, or stop abruptly at the last second. This is free as a bluff, and means the bear warns you to leave the area.
If you wear spray
Carrying pepper spray and know how it is correctly uses the best deterrentagainst the attacks of bears and may limit the duration or severity of an attack that occurs. Professional wildlife biologists who bear in the area of work will depend on spraying and trust as an effective tool for injury to people and helps to prevent.
If you have a gun
Wounding a bear can also use a large caliber, you bring in far greater danger. Most fatally wounded bear to live long enough to inflict serious injury on her attacker. Correct use of pepper spray has proven to bemore efficient than using a firearm to deter an attack and the prevention of serious injury.
If the bear makes physical contact
Falling on the floor, lying face down and take a cannonball position. Leave your pack on, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands, and roll to protect the stomach. Play dead.
When a bear attacks at night in a tent
It is very rare for a bear to attack a displacement or a person in a tent. If this were the case, the bear is probablySearching for food, instead of trying to neutralize a threat, in this case to show to defend himself, the bear, you are dangerous, and that a simple meal can not been found.
Report takes all
If you encounter a bear, report it as soon as possible to the local authorities or the nearest forest, park or fish and game department office. Your report can help prevent that hurt other people. "
